People Of the Old Testament
Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai) Study One: The Covenant
Read Genesis 12:1-9
1. List everything God told Abram to leave. What would that have meant for Abram and Sarai?
2. What three things does God promise Abram?
3. When God promises blessing, what does He mean? (Hint - read ahead to Genesis 15:1)
Read Genesis 15
4. How does God clarify His promise to Abram? What further promises does He make?
5. What is the nature of Abram's faith and his doubts?
6. In verses 13-16 God foretells the circumstances of Abram's descendants taking possession of the promised land. Why can't they take it now? What does this tell us about God's character and plan?
7. God makes a covenant with Abram, declaring an oath while passing between the halves of slaughtered animals. Read Jeremiah 34:18-20. What is the consequence of breaking such a covenant? What responsibility does God take on?
8. What do we learn about Abram, Sarai and their place in God's plan?
Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai) Study Two: Believing the Impossible Promise
1. From the previous study, what were Abram and Sarai's concerns about God's promise?
Read Genesis 16
2. What was Sarai's proposed solution? Why?
3. Who is responsible for the tensions that result?
4. What are the consequences of Abram and Sarai's lack of faith for:
a) Sarai
b) Abram
c) Hagar
Genesis 17:1-18:15
5. How does God again clarify His promise to Abram? What further promises does He make?
Read Genesis 21:1-6
6. How do Abraham and Sarah respond to God's faithfulness to His promises concerning Isaac? Which of God's promises do we find hard to believe?
Read Peter 3:3-6 and Hebrews 11:1-2 and 11-12
7. For what are Abraham and Sarah commended?
8. What can we learn from Abraham and Sarah's example?